PM Modi says Congress tarnishes India's image abroad: 'They seek intervention in internal affairs'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a jibe at the Congress, accusing the party of creating disorder and tarnishing India’s image abroad. He added that Congress leaders seek foreign intervention in India’s internal affairs, putting the country at risk to revive the political careers of its “failed leaders.”

Addressing the NDTV World Summit 2026, PM Modi said, “Sriharikota sees fewer launches than the number of times Congress tried to launch its failed leaders in a single year.”

"The Congress family has become a burden on its own party. Even the party’s own senior leaders admit to this,” he added.

Gandhi's Cambridge controversy

The Congress and the BJP were embroiled in a major controversy in 2023 after the ruling party accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of insulting India and Parliament during a speech at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

Gandhi had alleged that Indian democracy was under attack and that the Opposition was facing “constant pressure” through what he described as unreasonable criminal cases. He also argued that key democratic institutions, including Parliament, the free press and the judiciary, were facing restrictions.

Gandhi further alleged that Israeli spyware Pegasus was being used to snoop on the phones of several political leaders, including his own.

‘Congress has become a parasite’: PM Modi

PM Modi, at the Summit, also accused the Congress of undermining movements that sought to hold the government accountable and push for reforms. He added that such movements were necessary in a democracy, alleging that the Opposition party was destroying them.

“Movements that naturally seek to highlight the government’s shortcomings and bring about reforms in the system are also necessary in a democracy. But the Congress destroys these movements as well. It has become a parasite that does not want anyone else to move forward,” he said.

He further accused the Congress party of sidelining young opposition leaders and keeping only one person in the limelight.

“The Congress does not allow others to get an opportunity. It wants to keep only one person in the limelight and does not listen to the voices of young leaders in the opposition.”